Lifestyles Propels Nutritional Complications – CSONA
BY: DRAXON MALOYA
Life styles are reported to be greatly contributing to an increase in number of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions estimated to account for 32 percent of total deaths in Malawi.
Recent Malawi Household Integrated Survey conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) and the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) reports bemoan failure by mostly people in the highest income quintile pegged at 36 percent in urban areas failing to take well balanced and reasonable amounts of some food components leading to either obesity and stunting.
Commenting on the advocacy component of the five year project which started in 2021 which will run until May in 2026, Programmes Manager for Civil Society Organizations Nutrition Alliance (CSONA) , Joseph Gausi said despite reducing stunting by 10 percent in the period between 2010 – 2015 the fight against malnutrition has been hampered by other emerging issues such as Covid-19 pandemic, Cyclones and the high cost of living.
“We had several interventions with other partners in the fight against malnutrition such as the Ministries of Health, Gender, Local Government and Education which has led to the recruitment of nutrition officers and extension workers at community levels to help in addressing malnutrition problem,” said Gausi.
Gausi also attributed the nutrition project success to the trainings that CSONA rendered to journalists from both print and electronic media drawn from across the country early in January 2022, this year.
Gausi further stated that journalists have a critical role to play in writing and broadcasting by engaging with the communities both in urban and rural areas in advocating for healthy eating habits.
Coincidentally, speaking during the commemoration of this year’s Diabetes Awareness Day, the Vice President of Katoto Lions Club Dr Douglas Lungu said it’s sad that unhealthy lifestyles still remain the major contributing factor leading to an increase in number of health complications emanating from diabetes and hypertension.
“Lifestyles have decreased lifespan, we are eating more but doing very little work, we encourage people to eat healthy food with more fibres and do some exercises,” Lungu said.
Commenting on the CSONA nutrition program, President of the Diabetes Association Northern Malawi chapter, Prince Tembo said neuropathy is a major problem causing even eye problems and stroke due to uncontrollable consumption of sugar stating that when bodies are flooded with sugar insulin is not able to control the sugars that wreck havoc in the bodies.
The recent World Health Organization report shows that Malawi is among the developing countries experiencing the double burden of malnutrition, with high prevalence of both under-nutrition and obesity leading to increases in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions.
CSONA is implementing the Nutrition for Health Project which started last year and it is expected to end in the month of May in 2026 with financial support from USAID.
